Sunday, May 23, 2010

Skype

Earlier this year we downloaded SKYPE which is a free program so that we could talk to family that aren't local. If you don't have a high speed connection, it isn't all that successful, but if you do have high speed, Skype is a great way to stay in touch especially since you can not only do audio, you can also do video. We can now talk to family out of town as easily as we can to folks around the corner. As a bonus we can actually see how big the kids are getting or we can pick up the web cam and focus in on a circuit board or computer wiring connection to show how it's done.

Lately, several people on tatting lists have lamented the fact that when they have problems with their tatting that they don't live closer to someone who can show them the ropes. It occurred to me that this might be a useful way to coach tatting online. Of course before any of that can happen you need to have people with high speed connections, Skype on the computer and a web cam. The laptop comes with a basic web cam but we also have a Microsoft HD Life Cam so it has good resolution. Clear enough that I can show stitches on screen. It has possibilities. What do you think?

It seems to me a great idea .... I used it with a friend who lives in Texas and I in Spain .... Of course, she speaks Spanish, lol ..... And we did not work .... I showed it to friends before the video call the Windows messenger ... And it works, it's not like being face to face, but ..... going very well ....

I love Skype! (But then, I happen to have a high-speed connection.) I think the folks who don't would certainly be frustrated in attempts to stay connected long enough to work through a tatting dilemna.

That a very good idea Sharon. However, I must mention that not all high speed connections are created equal (I'm sure you know that). In the rural parts of Saskatchewan (and I'm sure elsewhere), satellite internet is becoming fairly common. It is almost as fast as the DSL I have here in the city, but there is a very noticeable 5-10 second delay from when you request data, and when you begin to receive it. A service like this would not be suitable for Skype and other VOIP services. Still, it's a good idea and I hope other tatters are interested in using this.